MUSCAT: A young metropolitan fosters vibrant young ideas for the new generation. He will be a trend setter and one who is a set apart from others. His Grace Dr Pullikkottil Geevarghese Mar Yulios Metropolitan is out to perform just that. His first Kalpana dated September 3, 2010 issued from Ahmedabad and in English bears testimony to this.

The new young bishop who is here to stay and perform noble deeds for the church and the laity took charge on India’s Independence Day as the new Diocese Metropolitan striving hard to shepherd the huge flock.

Devoid of specifying out any plan of action, the Kalpana stands out with his stamp of nobility. With kind salutations His Grace addresses vicars of parishes, priests, trustees and members of all the parishes of the new Ahmedabad diocese as dearly beloved. He has effectively channelised the order with a promise to perform his best with prayers of Holy Virgin Mary, the mother God as “fortress of all of us.”

Envisioning a global church with Oriental aspirations and ecumenical leanings, His Grace duly thanks HG Geevarghese Mar Coorilos for helping out the Ahmedabad diocese during its early days when the later guided it as assistant metropolitan for almost a year. Mar Coorlios had single handedly raised funds, administered remarkably well and built a perfect foundation for his successor. He will definitely be a source of guidance and strength for the new metropolitan in the days ahead.

Mar Yulios has therefore rightly commended the pioneering work of Mar Coorilos terming it as ‘meritorious’ and bestowed upon him the honour of a Valiya Thirumeni.

Perfectly worded and with due respects to some of the leading metropolitans of sacred memory, His Grace has struck the right chord among the diocese members.

Porbandar, in Gujarat, birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader who pioneered satyagraha falls under the diocese jurisdiction. Mahatma’s renowned philosophy of non-violence and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s iron hand ethics will also serve as a catalyst as he guides the destiny of the new diocese. His Grace’s Raj Ghat visit to pay homage at the Samadhi and his inert desire to have Ahmedabad Diocese known as Gandhi Smaran Diocese is also a clear pointer in this direction.

Dr Mar Yulios desires to be an exemplary shepherd and emerge as a prophet of love and reconciliation. He upholds Mahatma and his simplicity drawn from Biblical precepts and as a symbol of fundamental reason for liberating the country from colonial rule.

His Grace notes that Gandhi envisaged the political freedom of the country as a tool for the spiritual freedom of humans. “Spiritual freedom is the holistic freedom of humans. Utilisation of this freedom will be to augment national integrity, for the welfare of the society in all aspects, and for the growth of the church at large. Let us all work towards this goal as a diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians.” This is a real harbinger for the Malankara Orthodox community and His Grace should will make sincere efforts to deliver the message to its outmost end and also duly abiding by the ‘cannons and traditions of the holy church.’

Paying due respects to Metropolitans Job Mar Philoxenos of the diocese of Delhi, Geevarghese Mar Coorilos (Bombay) and Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius (Calcutta) who led their respective churches which was entrusted upon them, he is infact following in their rich legacy.

He is not alone in this huge task. The church and laity in its entirety will support him to the core. There is also the support of the holy Episcopal Synod and from HH the Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan in the matter. The result will be a harmonious growth of the holy church and congregations of the Ahmedabad diocese.

His Grace gratefully acknowledges services of late Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, Metropolitan Dr Philipose Mar Theophilos, Dr Paulose Mar Gregorios and Dr Stephanos Mar Theodosios who guided and nurtured parishes of our diocese and also children of our church who toiled to establish churches and institutions.

As he begins his work, prayers are one big asset that is expected from the many followers in the church. His Grace calls for imitating the faith of apostles, spiritual fathers and primates. He quotes St Paul, the apostle from Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith…” and seeks their blessings who have governed the church from St Thomas to this day. He rightly calls for ‘imitation’ and ‘reflection’ at this hour.

Just as Naroda, the present location of the diocese headquarters flourished, from a suburban town to an industrial area, the baby diocese too will see major changes. And Mar Yulios and his church shall stand witness to it.